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As a child I remember laughter and happiness, at home, at school, with friends and family. As a teenager, life gets more complicated; will I fit in? Will somebody love me? Will I get a good job? All of our doubts and insecurities seem like mountains. As an adult beginning to travel and learning, that things I was sure of, are not so definite after all! Getting married, being a wife, responsibilities of two, then a mum, responsibilities of three! Leads down a path to being a widow and ultimately an orphan. In a flash a senior citizen and grandparent, in the eyes of the younger, faster world a lesser being. Wow what an incredible cycle, so much done, so much learnt, so much happiness and so much pain.

Looking back would I have changed it? Could I have changed it? No, not a single moment, I am not saying that at the time, I would not have preferred to be somewhere else, shedding less tears, fighting less battles, but they were all followed by days of sunshine; it has all made me, me; exactly who I am right now. Everyday is a new opportunity, as the alarm rings it opens up a blank page to make of it what I will, if I choose to be happy, or if I choose to be grumpy; at least I have woken to have the choice!

Nowadays, I appreciate I have the choice, for so long life seemed to be out of my control and no matter how I tried, I was the proverbial hamster running on the wheel, getting nowhere – or so it seemed at the time. I let myself get so far down the “importance ladder” that anything would do for me, and it did. No matter how many times my mum and friends would tell me, Linda you are doing an amazing job, you have achieved so much, somehow it never seemed true. The only person, who did not believe in me, was ME!

I do not think my life has been wasted at anytime, but looking back there are times when it could have been more productive and directed. Though I am the first to say, we cannot change the past, look at it, learn from it and move on. That is something that I can now do, it is so very much easier planning a journey into the next era looking forward, eyes, mind and determination firmly set, focused on the horizon. Ok, I may not run up the next mountain quite as fast as before, but I certainly have a lot less emotional baggage to weigh me down, this part of the path may be leading to Zimmer frames and incontinence pads, but I will be making the choice to enjoy every challenge and new day until I am lucky enough to make it there.

Have you ever had an IQ test – a so-called “intelligence” test? Do you know how well you did? That test just may have done you more harm than good.

Many of us probably had one while we were in school. However, these tests can be dangerous, and here is why this is possible.

First of all, no one really knows what “intelligence” is, and these IQ tests really measure knowledge, which is a far different thing. Second, people get classified on the basis of their test scores. If this test is done in school, teachers get an idea about how smart our kids are, and then they treat them that way. The kids get the idea from the teachers about how smart they are, and then they behave that way.

There is a famous study, done decades ago, where teachers were told that a certain group of kids had enormous potential, but were not living up to it. They were also told that another group of kids were not very bright. In actuality, all the kids had roughly equal ability. They tested these kids at the end of the year, and they found that the children whom the teacher thought were bright had improved their IQ test scores by nearly 10 points! The other group had gone down.

This was yet another version of the self-fulfilling prophecy, and underscores how our own thinking, and therefore behaviors, are determined by our beliefs. What we need to do is not measure and label our kids, but encourage each and every one of them to use their unique talents and vast potential.

Children tend to live up to what is expected of them. So do most adults. We need to see all as capable, bright, creative people and teach them to see themselves this way – from the very beginning.

Do you remember the warm glowing feeling of anticipation with the words “Once upon a time” and safe contented feeling of the book closing with the words “and they lived happily ever after.” Snuggled up with somebody who meant the world to you.

At the time maybe we do not realize just how important that time is, nor how much those stories so many years later can affect our thinking. My favorite story of The Little Engine, chuffing away with its load, struggling up those hills, panting out the words, I think I can, I think I can, I know I can, I know I can, and reaching the top, I can!

My mum’s soft voice implanted those words into a very young brain and they have stuck with me through thick and thin.

Most people of my generation are not techno geeks, in fact if like me you came dragging your heels into the techno era, but now wonder how we lived without it. Great stories that the younger generations believe come from historic times! However, in today’s world icons, clicks and cyber space is a huge requirement in business and everyday life. Having lived away in various countries, communication is made so very much easier than the beautiful letters my mum used to pen on a regular basis to where ever I might be.

These recent months have seen my usual abounding persistence severely tested, I have been working on a new website and launching a book at the same time…….. arrh! all of course via techo inventions. Being in Saudi Arabia is not one of the internet hot spots of the world either! But with my hair still in place, though at times it was a close call; today just like The Little Train Engine, I have arrived at the “I can.” Launching www.lindasage.com To be honest, not without a great web builder in the UK.

So, as my new chapter unfolds, a new story with anticipation starts and once more there is the “Once upon a time” tingle, added with the “I think I can, I Know I can, and I can,” will no doubt combine in years to come, to be a very happy ever after ending. At least I am still writing the story with that in mind.

Like all the lucky people of the world, seeing a new year in happily with a glass in one hand and with friends, is a great blessing, that all too often we take for granted.

Last night for me was an occasion to be remembered, some wonderful friends from South Africa and UK, raising a glass of prohibited liquid in a country that has offered me a very alternative life for the past four years.

Happy New Year ringing in my ears, happy smiling faces, handshakes, kisses and slaps on the back, we made it to another year! What will this one hold? Can it be the best yet? I still believe that every new day, is like a new blank canvas that we can make the most of, or not as we choose. Very often I know I have wanted to hide under the duvet, make excuses why the world is against me, feel like I am battling the world alone, but the truth is I still had and have the opportunity to make something – anything happen!

So, 2016 my new year, month, week and day…. starts here (ok it is already 1pm here in Saudi) but the sun is out, sky is blue and my fingers are dashing over the keypad, my new regime has already started. Just like Bridgette Jones – note to self – do better this year! So, gearing up with my new website, new book release, new key notes and new courses, life will be different because I am different today.

For everyone and everything in 2015 that has got me to this new chapter I am very thankful, hold onto your hats the exciting ride is just beginning. I hope many people will be coming along with me, wishing everyone a wonderful, happy, healthy 2016.